Help with air con rad change 380 sec 1985

[christopher.cross]

Hi Members.
Please can any one tell me how to proceed with fitting air con rad on my 1985 380 sec coupe? I trashed my one in a small collision and managed to find a replacement from a later 500 sel .Now the problem is the fittings don't appear to be the correct way round?On my car the larger pipe (bigger coupling)routed to the top of rad won't fit the top attachment on the new rad. It does seem the same size as the bottom and visa versa. The fittings are the wrong way round?Can I get a kit to sort this or is it that the air con rad of a sec500 (1988) just will not fit my 380(1985)?Please advise? Kinds Regards Chris.

 

[ben12345]

What year 500SEC is the radiator from? The later (9/85) onward radiator does indeed use different fittings. You could get a specialist to make up new hoses, but you'd need the 500SEC ones to steal the fittings from.
I'd just get the correct one, there is a few old SEC's breaking on ebay at the moment.

Cheers.

 

[television]

Can you check on the car where the rad came from if the parts on the engine are the same size as on your car, if they are then 2 new pipes would do the job

 

[christopher.cross]

What year 500SEC is the radiator from? The later (9/85) onward radiator does indeed use different fittings. You could get a specialist to make up new hoses, but you'd need the 500SEC ones to steal the fittings from.
I'd just get the correct one, there is a few old SEC's breaking on ebay at the moment.

Cheers.

Hi Ben. yes I think you are right. its probably best to find another one rather than get hoses made up.
many Thanks .Chris

 

[christopher.cross]

Hi Malcolm.
I am afraid the chap who sold me the rad just cut through any pipes on the doner rad. I think i will just get another 2nd hand one but will make sure its exactly the same.
Many Thanks chris.

 

[television]

Why not have yours re cored, thats a cheap way out, the chances are the water on the 500 was greatewr than the 380.

Look in tellow pages or the net

 

[christopher.cross]

Hi Malcolm.
Please can you tell me what re cored means? Who in the yellow pages would do this?
Thanks Chris

 

[television]

Hi Malcolm.
Please can you tell me what re cored means? Who in the yellow pages would do this?
Thanks Chris

There are firms that fit a whole new core, that is the water matrix part. Under car repairs and garage services in the yellow pages who do this.

I will post back

 

[television]

I just did a google search and there are thousands of firms that will rebuild your old one, this can be much cheaper than buing new

 

[ben12345]

Malcolm, this is the air conditioning radiator aka condenser... not usually rebuildable.

And the engine cooling radiator is the same for all V8 w126's, from 380 to 560.

Cheers.

 

[television]

Malcolm, this is the air conditioning radiator aka condenser... not usually rebuildable.

And the engine cooling radiator is the same for all V8 w126's, from 380 to 560.

Cheers.

Thank you Ben very much

 

[christopher.cross]

Hi Ben.
wow! now i am confused? Do you think a good mobile air con mechanic could adapt the rad from the sec 500 and make it fit my 380? Thanks Chris

 

[christopher.cross]

Still need help locating source of rad fixer?

I just did a google search and there are thousands of firms that will rebuild your old one, this can be much cheaper than buing new

Hi Malcolm
Can you recommend someone in the Richmond upon thames area who could rebuild my old one please or tell me the key words so I can type it into Google? Sorry but I am, a bit of trouble knowing exactly what I am looking for? Been a long day! Thanks very much. Chris

 

[star]

Just read this, if i recall the sec condensor is different to a standard s class due to the bonnet/grill. not sure tho but worth a check. also by buying s/hand, how do you know if its got a leak or not?? very difficult to check once removed and a lot of work to go to if it has.

 

[ben12345]

Chris,

Basically you need to get the correct air con radiator. They changed after Sept 1985 as you've found out. Also as Star points out, one from a SE or SEL wont work either (Well it will, but its a very tight fit, and requires cutting of brackets etc).

I don't think your existing one could be repaired for any less than a brand new one would cost, so this isn't fesable. Like I said before, have a look on ebay for the SEC's being broken, but again as star points out, you don't know if what you're buying is knackered or not due to the air con hardly ever working in these old cars.

Cheers.

 

[christopher.cross]

Hi Ben. yes I think you are right. its probably best to find another one rather than get hoses made up.
many Thanks .Chris

Hi Ben.
I am having trouble finding the correct air con rad at present. I have found a chap who thinks he can change the fittings over on the 500sec doner rad that I found? Will this suffice? Also where do I top up the coolant for the aircon system providing this chap does a good job?
Regards Chris...ps
Ben I woulod be happy just to get my Merc back on the road so I really hope my plan works and I wont be too upset if the aircon isn't working ???
Many Thanks Chris

 

[christopher.cross]

Just read this, if i recall the sec condensor is different to a standard s class due to the bonnet/grill. not sure tho but worth a check. also by buying s/hand, how do you know if its got a leak or not?? very difficult to check once removed and a lot of work to go to if it has.

Hi Star. Yes I agree its a lot of work just to find that the doner rad is kaput ? as I have told Ben i have found a chap who is going to swap the fittings round on the rad I got from a Sec 500 and as long as I can connect the pipes I can get the car back on the Road. I think this is worth a try or maybe Chaz at sec shop kent can find me the correct 380 sec rad???????
Regards Chris

 

[christopher.cross]

Hi Malcolm
Can you recommend someone in the Richmond upon thames area who could rebuild my old one please or tell me the key words so I can type it into Google? Sorry but I am, a bit of trouble knowing exactly what I am looking for? Been a long day! Thanks very much. Chris

Hi Malcolm.
Yes I have found a chap in Feltham who is going to swap the fittings around on the rad i found from a 500 sec and with luck i think i can make it work and if not at least I can connect the pipes back up and get the car back on the RD> Thanks mate> Chris